“For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God].”
Ephesians 5:5(AMP)
Many of us spend quite a bit of time aspiring to go higher in things like our careers, relationship status, or finances. We put a lot of effort into those things, but for some reason, many of us don’t put nearly as much effort into going higher in Christ. Money is a driving force in most all societies, and throughout history, many people have been chiefly motivated by the thought of getting more of it. As Christians, the example of Christ sets us on a different trajectory. He tells us in Matthew 6:24(NLT), “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to have lack or poverty in our lives. He wants us to be abundantly blessed and tells us in John 10:10 that He sent His Son to the earth so that we could have a more than abundant life. However, we must be clear that a more than abundant reality is not based on money and living lavishly. It’s based on living through the faith and love of Jesus Christ by following the example he has left us to follow. 1Peter 2:21(AMP) tells us, “For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.” As a person that believes in the Lord Jesus, we have a responsibility to him. We’re to walk in his love, serve others, and love God with all that we are. So, a blessed existence that pleases God is not about going higher in any other thing than our commitment to Him through Christ.
Hebrews 13:13-15(NLT) tells us, “13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. 15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.” We must be loyal to God and understand that He alone is worthy of praise. He’s worthy of our total commitment, because He’s magnificent in every way. He’s holy, righteous, and full of mercy and grace, and He will never fail or disappoint us. If the example of Jesus Christ is not our focus, and we are more interested in what we can get than what we can give, we will become less and less like our Lord and Savior. We might look the part of success, but our inward self will slowly implode. Hebrews 13:13 lets us know that living in Christ is where all the action is. His life is the blueprint for everything God desires us to be.
Committing ourselves to go higher in Christ isn’t a burden. It’s the greatest achievement of life.
James 2:14 (NLT) says “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” It’s an amazing feeling to increase our faith in God and see things move and manifest because of it. Our Heavenly Father honors His Word, and the more we grow in it the more we’ll line up with His plan and purpose for our lives. He has set things up in such a way that going higher spiritually in Christ will keep us on the path of our destinies. So, let’s be committed to go higher in Christ and prioritize our relationship with God in the number one spot. If we do and seek His way of doing and being right, He promises to richly bless our lives. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible Copyright (c) 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved.
“Committed to Go Higher”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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